Our little Chef

Tanner is hilarious! He has decided that he wants to bake all the time and start cooking dinner a couple of nights a week for me. Now I know I should be so excited for the help, but for some reason I feel like it is multiplying my work. Then I feel guilty..... by the time I was his age I already knew how to sew, clean and had a job baking bread - BRAVO Mom!

Thursday we went grocery shopping for the items on his list and Friday the cooking/baking began . Luckily Grandma had given the kids a great cookbook and he chose items from that:

1. Milkshakes

2. Chocolate & peanut covered frozen bananas

3. Donuts

YUM!

Now Annika & Arik are jealous, especially Arik since he loves to cook and has since he was little. I think we are going to have to put into place a cooking day for each with a good plan of execution. Wish me luck!

I can see!

I remember Mr. Eagler calling my mom at the end of class. It was either 7th or 8th grade, not sure. He told her that I couldn't see the Periodic Table in science class and that I needed glasses. I knew the boys needed glasses a year ago, but we were waiting as long as possible to get them, they were both so young. Yesterday we picked up the frames they had chosen (Colby insisted they get whatever frames they wanted so they would be happy wearing them).

Here are the results:

Could these boys be any cuter at all! I just love how the frames match their personalities perfectly.

Mamma Devil Horns

"Mamma Devil Horns" is the term I like to use to describe what happens to me when I am pushed over the edge by my children. I really think that I literally grow them out of my head and then turn into this completely different person than who I really am. Along with the horns comes this loud, low gravely voice that obviously doesn't really belong to me (come on, I have heard myself on an answering machine and I know I have a high, squeaky, obnoxious voice). This summer I was determined to not grow the horns. I planned fun, created jobs, and just let the kids be kids. I was more successful than I have been in years and it has truly been one fabulous summer. I am more relaxed and they seem happier. As we come to the end of Summer Vacation we are happy and hopefully ready for school to begin (in 2 1/2 more weeks!!!!). In fact, last week may have been the best week yet. I worked really hard to be patient (something you would think I would have learned by now) and the kids were nice to me.

As I look back at what I did differently I realized it was all about balance. In a world that is pushing for "Me" time in order to be a better mom, I am realizing that this is not the answer. When I am trying to have "Me" time, I become irritated when the kids bother me. Not the best result. But when I give in to their every need, the results are even worse. This summer I tried to love them more and spend one-on-one time with each. But I think the most important thing I did was get them to work (Colby's idea) and serve me a little. This lightened my load. I still made time for me (you should see my nails, hair, new clothes & jewelry, etc.) and they were also happy. Now, the key will be to keep this up during the school year. Hopefully we can find a new balance amid all the activities they are scheduled to do.... we will see.

But for now, we are happy.

Happy Birthday Colby!

I just want to wish my wonderful husband a very Happy Birthday! I haven't seen him yet today. He is flying home from England and then got stuck in Denver. Hopefully he will be ready for cake at about midnight tonight because the kids are determined to celebrate!

Seattle

After leaving Vancouver BC, we drove to Seattle to spend a few days with the Mann Family. It had been way to long. We had a great time and in the end could not separate Annika, Ellie & Emma

We headed out with most of the kids to Pike's Place Market. It was crazy, there were people everywhere, but we still had so much fun.

Then Meggin & the kids headed home while we stayed downtown to take in a Mariner's game. It was a great night to go. The weather was good and the top stayed open AND they were even playing the Yankees.














Fun at the game!

Playing in Canada

Last week we headed to Canada. Colby had a conference there and we decided to join him for a couple of days. I had never been to Vancouver B.C. and what a wonderful city. It is huge! We stayed not too far from the water, downtown and were able to go to Stanley Park, the Vancouver Aquarium and Science World. We always like to walk whenever possible, and this time I consulted the GPS instead of an actual person -- needless to say the kids & I found ourselves in a very scary part of town on our way to Science World. We should have taken the Sky Train.

Vancouver Aquarium - they had 2 baby beluga whales and a great dolphin show!

Stanley Park, it was raining & cold so we didn't explore much.

Science World

Back in the USA (after a 1 1/2 hour wait at the border) Go Homeland Security!

Summer Fun!

Colby informed me last night that I am behind on my blogging. It is true. When the kids are home during the summer, we are so busy playing that I just don't take the time to document our daily events. I want this blog to be a little bit of a family journal as well as a way to stay in contact with all our family & friends. So... I will try to be more diligent and blog more often. With that said, here are a few pictures of some summer fun.











Painting rocks with Carson & Landon

Swimming with Will, Jonny & Katie











Playing at Mormor & Grandpa's with Alex, Nik & Meggin

KHS Reunion!!










Tanner & Mormor